Spraying water to protect seedlings from frost - anyone tried?
General near Johnstown, PA
We have some cold weather predicted for this weekend and it looks like it could go below freezing. I’m worried that my transplanted seedlings might get damaged and have been researching ways to protect them. I came across an articleon spraying water to protect grape vines from frost using a sprinkler. Here is the link http://www.winemakermag.com/stories/g.... The latent heat released as the water freezes protects the plants. I wondered if this method can be used to protect vegetable plants? Could I set up some regular garden sprinklers to reach all my plants and leave them spraying until the cold snap passes? I would really love to hear if anyone has tried this?
Posted
by: Larry Pelenski
(4 points)
Posted: May 9, 2013
Answers
What veggies do you want to protect, Larry? Many vegetable crops will do fine with a light freeze.
If you've transplanted heat-loving plants like tomatoes or peppers, organize some sort of protective frame over the plants with cardboard boxes, wooden stakes, or even pruned branches, then cover the frame with old blankets, sleeping bags, etc. Remove the coverings in the morning when the temperature rises to 50° or so. If the temperature is forecast to go just below freezing, you could use cut-off plastic milk jugs or 2-liter soda bottles. Make sure to remove them shortly after the sun comes up to avoid "cooking" them.
If you've transplanted heat-loving plants like tomatoes or peppers, organize some sort of protective frame over the plants with cardboard boxes, wooden stakes, or even pruned branches, then cover the frame with old blankets, sleeping bags, etc. Remove the coverings in the morning when the temperature rises to 50° or so. If the temperature is forecast to go just below freezing, you could use cut-off plastic milk jugs or 2-liter soda bottles. Make sure to remove them shortly after the sun comes up to avoid "cooking" them.
Posted
by: Peg Boyles
(4 points)
Posted: May 9, 2013
Larry Pelenski commented,
thank you Peg, I do not have any tomatoes or peppers out as of yet but I do have quite a few varieties of lettuce out which I was concerned about if the forecast is correct and we will have several days of potentially cold weather here in PA. I have just checked and the low is now 11 which isn't so bad but I'm keeping an eye on the forecast. almost 11 years ago.
thank you Peg, I do not have any tomatoes or peppers out as of yet but I do have quite a few varieties of lettuce out which I was concerned about if the forecast is correct and we will have several days of potentially cold weather here in PA. I have just checked and the low is now 11 which isn't so bad but I'm keeping an eye on the forecast. almost 11 years ago.
I have used sprinklers to protect tender plants from spring and fall freezes. Basically, the plant tissue doesn't drop below 32 degrees so long as ice is forming on the plant (unless it gets really cold); the plants need to experience 28 or 29 degrees to be damaged. Use the minimum amount of water to cover the area-- for example, if you can place one sprinkler in the center of the garden and cover everything, do that rather than using multiple sprinklers. Turn the sprinkler on before the temperature drops below freezing and leave it on until the temp rises above freezing.
This is a one way to extend the growing season in spring and fall over a fairly large area. As I mentioned, this won't work if temperatures dip into the teens or low 20's. The water doesn't release enough heat to provide protection at those temperatures.
This is a one way to extend the growing season in spring and fall over a fairly large area. As I mentioned, this won't work if temperatures dip into the teens or low 20's. The water doesn't release enough heat to provide protection at those temperatures.
Posted
by: Dennis
(2 points)
Posted: May 29, 2013
I live up in the northern part of New England and from experience I know that a freezing rain kills gardens. Mature fruit will usually do fine but the plants either die or go dormant. Mulch and row covers are very effective at protecting your cold loving plants like spinach and peas from a late frost. The mulch helps insulate the soil and the row covers stop frost from settling out of the air onto your plants.
Going off on a tangent, if you can keep your berries on your plants and winter starts off with a deep cold snap you can make winter berries. Winter berries are made when a fruit is rapidly encased in ice and kept frozen until spring thaw. I've had cranberries and grapes this way and they're incredible! They'll look a little raisiny but are perfectly good to eat and much sweeter than the fresh berries.
Going off on a tangent, if you can keep your berries on your plants and winter starts off with a deep cold snap you can make winter berries. Winter berries are made when a fruit is rapidly encased in ice and kept frozen until spring thaw. I've had cranberries and grapes this way and they're incredible! They'll look a little raisiny but are perfectly good to eat and much sweeter than the fresh berries.
Posted
by: J.D. Archer
(31 points)
Posted: May 9, 2013
Larry Pelenski commented,
interesting idea, I don't currently have any berries but I was considering planting some raspberries at some point almost 11 years ago.
interesting idea, I don't currently have any berries but I was considering planting some raspberries at some point almost 11 years ago.
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